Chittagong is Bangladesh's main seaport and its second-largest city. The capital of the eponymous district and division, it is situated in the southeastern portion of the country, and was built on the banks of the Karnaphuli River, which ends nearby, in the Bay of Bengal. The city has a population over 2.5 million, and is constantly growing. According to a report released by International Institute for Environment and Development, a UK-based policy research non-governmental body, Chittagong is one of among the 3 Bangladeshi cities, which have made it (10th) into the list of 100 fastest growing cities in the world. Much of the city is surrounded by hilly terrains. The Chittagong Hill Tracts range is situated nearby. Being the country's primary port, Chittagong is the main route for almost all of Bangladesh's import and export, generating a major portion of the country's annual revenue and being its commercial center Its harbor contains extensively developed port facilities and is particularly suitable for ocean steamers. Two large environmental centers ("ecoparks"), catering to ecology and forestry-related research, have recently been built in neighboring Sitakunda and Bashkhali.
How to reach:: So many options to go to Chittagong. AC, Non AC and Special Buses are available from Gabtoli, Kallyanpur, Kalabagan, Fakirapul, etc. Also Train and Air are available in time based.
Cox's Bazar::
Welcome to the world longest beach Cox’s Bazar. Know about
Cox’s Bazar before tour.
Cox's Bazar (Bengali: কক্সবাজার Kaksbājār) is a
town, a fishing port and district headquarters in Bangladesh. It is known for
its wide and long sandy beach which is considered by many as the world's
longest natural sandy sea beach. The
beach in Cox's Bazar is an unbroken 125 km sandy sea beach with a gentle slope.
It is located 150 km south of the industrial port Chittagong. Cox’s Bazar is
also known by the name Panowa, whose literal translation means "yellow
flower." Its other old name was "Palongkee".
The modern Cox's Bazar derives its name from Captain Hiram
Cox (died 1799), an officer serving in British India. An officer of the British
East India Company, Captain Cox was appointed Superintendent of Palongkee
outpost after Warren Hastings became Governor of Bengal. Captain Cox was
specially mobilised to deal with a century-long conflict between Arakan
refugees and local Rakhains. He embarked upon the mammoth task of
rehabilitating refugees in the area and made significant progress. A premature
death took Captain Cox in 1799 before he could finish his work. To commemorate
his role in rehabilitation work, a market was established and named Cox's Bazar
("Cox's Market") after him.
Today, Cox's Bazar is one of the most-visited tourist
destinations in Bangladesh. It has yet to become a major international tourist
destination, and has no international hotel chains, due to lack of publicity
and transportation.
About Cox’s Bazar Town
Cox's Bazar (Town), Cox's Bazar municipality, was
constituted in 1869, eventually becoming a B-grade municipality in 1989. The
municipality covers an area of 6.85 km. Located along the Bay of Bengal in South
Eastern Bangladesh, Cox's Bazar Town is a large port and health resort. But it is famous mostly for its long natural
sandy beach. The municipality covers an area of 6.85 km² with 27 mahallas and 9
wards and has a population of 51,918. Cox's Bazar is connected by road and air
with Chittagong.
About Geography and climate.
Panorama of Cox's
Bazar in the early morning: clouds on a blue sky, still water and forest in the
distance.
Cox's Bazar town with an area of 6.85 km², is located at
21°35′0″N 92°01′0″E and bounded by Bakkhali River on the north and East, Bay of Bengal
in the West, and Jhilwanj Union in the south.
The climate of Bangladesh is mostly determined by its
location in the tropical monsoon region: high temperature, heavy rainfall,
generally excessive humidity, and distinct seasonal variations. The climate of
Cox's bazar is mostly similar to the rest of the country. It is further
characterised by the location in the coastal area. The annual average
temperature in Cox's Bazar remains at about a maximum of 34.8 °C and a minimum
of 16.1 °C. The average amount of rainfall remains at 4,285 mm.
Tourist attractions near the town
The beach is the main attraction of the town. Larger hotels
provide exclusive beachside area with accessories for the hotel guests.
Visitors in other hotels visit the Laboni beach which is the area of the beach
closest to the town. Other than the beach there are several places of interest
near the town which can easily be visited from town center.
Aggmeda Khyang: a large Buddhist monastery, and a
place revered by around 400,000 Buddhist people of Cox’s Bazar; and the
Chittagong Hill Tracts. The main sanctuary is posted on a series of round
timber columns. It has a prayer chamber and an assembly hall along with a
repository of large and small bronze Buddha images and a number of old
manuscripts.
Ramu: about 10 km from Cox’s Bazar, is a village with
a sizeable Buddhist population. The village is famous for its handicrafts and
homemade cigars. There are monasteries, khyangs and pagodas containing images
of Buddha in bronze, gold and other metals with precious stones. One of the
most interesting of these temples is on the bank of the Baghkhali river. It
houses not only relics and Burmes handicrafts but also a large bronze statue of
Buddha measuring thirteen feet high which rests on a six feet high pedestal.
Weavers ply their trade in open workshops and craftsmen make handmade cigars in
their pagoda like houses.
Bangabandhu Sheikh MujibSafari Park: Bangabandhu
Sheikh MujibSafari Park is the first Safari Park in Bangladesh. The nature of
the forest is tropical evergreen and rich with Garjan, Boilam, Telsur and
Chapalish along with herbs, shrubs and creepers. Safari Park is a declared
protected area where the animals are kept in fairly large area with natural
environment and visitors can easily see the animal whenever they visit by bus,
jeep or on foot. This park was established on the basis of South Asian model.
This safari park is an extension of an animal sanctuary located along the
Chittagong-Cox's Bazar road about 50 km from Cox's Bazar town. The sanctuary
itself protects a large number of wild elephants which are native to the area.
In the safari park there are domesticated elephants which are available for a
ride. Other animal attractions include lions, Bengal tigers, Crocodiles, Bears,
Chitals and lots of different types of birds and monkeys.which is wonder full
project to attract the tourist.
Inani Beach: This is another magnificent place to
see. Inani is full of stony beach and the calmness and serenity of Inani is mind
blowing. Don't miss the chance to visit Inani while going to Cox's Bazar. Inani
Beach is a beautiful sea beach in Ukhia Thana, Bangladesh, about 32 kilometers
to the south of Cox's Bazar beach.
Other tourist attractions near Cox's Bazar
Maheshkhali is a small island (268 square kilometres)
off the Cox’s Bazar coast. The island offers panoramic scenic beauty and is covered
by a range of low hills, about 300 feet (91 m) high, streatches through the
center of the island and along its eastern coastline. Adinath Temple, a temple
of Shiva, and a Buddhist pagoda are also located on this island.
Sonadia Island, a small crescent shaped island of
only 9 square kilometres, it is 7-km north-west of Cox's Bazar. The western
side of the island is sandy and different kinds of shells are found on the
beach. Off the northern part of the island, there are beds of window pane oysters.
During winter, fisherman set up temporary camps on the island and dry their
catches of sea fish. Sonadia Island supports the last remaining part of
mangrove forest in southeast Bangladesh.
Teknaf, a place situated by the side of Naf river is
the southernmost part of mainland Bangladesh. This also marks the end point of
Cox's Bazar beach. Tourists usually come here to have a river cruise along
beautiful Naf river, which flows between Bangladesh and Myanmar.
St. Martin's
Island, a small island in the northeast part of the Bay of Bengal, about 9
km south of the tip of the Cox's Bazar-Teknaf peninsula. It is the only coral
island in Bangladesh. It is about 8 km west of the northwest coast of Myanmar
at the mouth of the Naf River. The local name of the island is নারিকেল
জিঞ্জিরা Narikel Jinjira (also spelled "Narical Gingira",
"Narikel Janjina", and "Narikel Jinjera"), meaning
"Coconut Island" in Bengali. St. Martin's Island has become a popular
tourist spot. Three shipping liners run daily trips to the island. They are
Kutubdia, Sea-Truck and Keary-Sindbad. Tourists can book their trip either from
Chittagong or from Cox's Bazar. The surrounding coral reef of the island has an
extension named Chera Dwip. The island is home to several endangered species of
turtles, as well as the corals, some of which are found only on this island.
Chakaria: One of most large area in Cox's Bazar.
Bandarban::
The
numerous Buddhist temples, known as kyang in local tongue, and bhihars in the
town include the highly notable the Rajvihar (royal vihar) at Jadipara and the
Ujanipara Bhihar. Bawm villages around Chimbuk, and Mru villages a little
further off, are also lie within a day's journey from the town. Prantik Lake,
Jibannagar and Kyachlong Lake are some more places of interest. Boat ride on
the river Sangu is one of the main attraction here for tourists.
Rangamati::
One can reach Rangamati from Cox's Bazar either via Chittagong or Bandarban. Rangamati offers several attractions including local tribal museum, Buddhist temple, tribal markets, hanging bridge and even the palace of traibal kings. The major attraction of the district is Kaptai Lake. It is a man-made lake in the Kaptai upazila of Rangamati District. The lake was created as a result of building the Kaptai Dam on the Karnaphuli River, as part of the Karnaphuli Hydro-electric project. The beautiful view of surrounding green hills has turned the lake into a wonderful spot for boating and cruising.
Notable landmarks-
Bandarban::
Welcome to the Green
Hill tracks Bandarban. Know about Bandarban before tour.
Bandarban (Bengali:বান্দরবান) is a district in
South-Eastern Bangladesh, and a part of the Chittagong Division and Chittagong
Hill Tracts. Bandarban is regarded as one of the most attractive travel
destinations in Bangladesh. Bandarban (meaning the dam of monkeys), or in Marma
or Arakanese language as "Rwa-daw Mro" is also known as Arvumi or the
Bohmong Circle (of the rest of the three hill districts Rangamati is the Chakma
Circle and Khagrachari is the Mong Circle). Bandarban town is the home town of
the Bohmong Chief (currently King, or Raja, Aung Shwe Prue Chowdhury) who is
the head of the Marma population. It also is the administrative headquarter of
Bandarban district, which has turned into one of the most exotic tourist
attractions in Bangladesh since the insurgency in Chittagong Hill Tracts has
ceased more than a decade back.
The Buddha Dhatu Jadi, the largest Buddhist temple in
Bangladesh, located in Balaghata, 4 km from the town, is an excellent place to
visit. This Theravada Buddhist temple is made completely in the style of
South-East Asia and houses the second largest statue of Buddha in Bangladesh.
The waterfall named Shoilo Propat at Milanchari is also an excellent site. In
addition, the numerous Buddhist temples, known as kyang in local tongue, and
vihars in the town include the highly notable the Rajvihar (royal vihar) at
Jadipara and the Ujanipara Vihar. Bawm villages around Chimbuk, and Mru
villages a little further off, are also lie within a day's journey from the
town. Prantik Lake, Jibannagar and Kyachlong Lake are some more places of
interest. And, a boat ride on the river Sangu is also an excellent proposition.
One of the three hill districts of Bangladesh and a part of
the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bandarban (4,479 km²) is not only the remotest
district of the country, but also is the least populated (population 292,900)
one. The three highest peak of Bangladesh - Tahjindong (1280 meters, also known
as bijoy)[* The height of Tahjindong is 829.66m +/-3m as per a recent
measurement with Garmin GPSMAP60CSX GPS], Mowdok Mual (1052 m), and Keokradong
(1230 m) [* The height of Keokradong is 986m +/-3m as per a recent measurement
with Garmin GPSMAP60CX GPS], - are located in Bandarban district, as well as
Raikhiang Lake, the highest lake in Bangladesh. Chimbuk peak and Boga Lake are
two more highly noted features of the district. The newly reported highest peak
of Bangladesh - Saka Haphong (3488 ft) is also here in Thanchi upazila.
The three highest peak of Bangladesh - Tahjindong (1280
meters, also known as bijoy), Mowdok Mual (1052 meters), and Keokradong (883
metres) - are located in Bandarban district, as well as Raikhiang Lake, the
highest lake in Bangladesh. Chimbuk peak and Boga Lake are two more highly
noted features of the district. Though most Bangladesh sources cite Keokradong
as the highest peak in the country, but Tazing Dong (sometimes spelled as
Tahjingdong, and also known as Bijoy) lying further east is recognized both by
government and expert sources as a taller peak. Measurements taken by English
adventurer Ginge Fullen shows that an officially unnamed peak near the Myanmar
border (locally known as Mowdok Mual) is the highest point in Bangladesh. Recently
a team from Nature Adventure Club took part in an expedition in the mowdok
range and agreed with the ginge fullens statement. They got the height of this
peak as 3488 feet with gps accuracy of 3 meter. The unnamed summit is known as
'Saka Haphong' to the local Tripura tribes.
Tourist attractions near the town
Meghla Parjatan
Nilachal
Shoila Propat
Prantik Lake
Chimbuk
Boga Lake
Rijuk Fall
Keokradong
Tahjingdong
Shangu River
Golden Temple
Nilgiri
Mirinja Parjatan
Upabon Parjatan
The River Sangu (also known as Sangpo or Shankha),
the only river born inside Bangladesh territory, runs through Bandarban. The
other rivers in the district are Matamuhuri and Bakkhali. Parts of Kaptai Lake,
the biggest lake in, Bangladesh fall under the district.
About Bandarban Town
A nearly 52 km² hill-town housing about 32,000
people, of which the majority are Marma. There is a Tribal Cultural Institute
here, which features a library and a museum. The town also features Bandarban
Town Hospital (offering the best medical service in the district), the District
Public Library, Bandarban Government College, the District Stadium, banashri,
the solitary movie theatre, the royal cemetery, and, of course, the Royal
Palace (two of them since the 11th and 13th royal lines both claim the throne).
Apart from the numerous kyangs and mosques, there is a temple dedicated to
Kali, the most revered goddess of Hindus is Bangladesh, as well as a centre
maintained by ISKON.
About Tourism
“ We welcome guests, but don't want
Bandarban to become crowded or polluted like Rangamati. We don't want to lose
our culture nor see it consigned to a museum. ”
—Raja Aung
Shue Prue Chowdhury, (on tourism)
Bandarban
lies, by bus, eight hours away from Dhaka, two hours from Chittagong and three
hours from Cox's Bazaar. It is also possible to get there by a six hour bus
ride from Rangamati.The Buddha Dhatu Jadi, the largest Buddhist temple in
Bangladesh, located in Balaghata, 4 km from the town.This place attracts many
tourists every year. This Theravada Buddhist temple is made completely in the
style of South-East Asia and houses the second largest statue of Buddha in
Bangladesh. The waterfall named Shoilo Propat at Milanchari is another place
tourists like to visit.
Rangamati::
Welcome to one of the most eye catching area Rangamati. Know about Rangamati before tour.
Rangamati(Bengali:
রাঙ্গামাটি)
is the Administrative Headquarter of Rangamati Hill District in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh.
The town is located at 22°37'60N 92°12'0E and has an altitude of 14 metres
(49 feet).
It's a travel
destination of Bangladesh which is known as "Lake City".
From Chittagong a
77 km road amidst green fields and winding hills leads to Rangamati; which
is a wonderful repository of scenic splendours with flora and fauna of varied
descriptions. The township is located on the western bank of the Kaptai lake.
Rangamati is a favourite holiday destination because of its beautiful
landscape, scenic beauty, lake, colourful indigenus groups (Chakma,
Marma
etc.), its flora and fauna, indigenous museum, hanging bridge, homespun textile
products, ivory jewellery and the indigenous men and women who fashion them.
For tourists, the attractions of Rangamati are numerous. Indigenous life,
fishing, speed boat cruising, hiking, bathing or merely enjoying nature as it
is.
 |
| Kaptai Lake |
One can reach Rangamati from Cox's Bazar either via Chittagong or Bandarban. Rangamati offers several attractions including local tribal museum, Buddhist temple, tribal markets, hanging bridge and even the palace of traibal kings. The major attraction of the district is Kaptai Lake. It is a man-made lake in the Kaptai upazila of Rangamati District. The lake was created as a result of building the Kaptai Dam on the Karnaphuli River, as part of the Karnaphuli Hydro-electric project. The beautiful view of surrounding green hills has turned the lake into a wonderful spot for boating and cruising.
 |
| Hanging bridge in Rangamati |
 |
| Shuvolong Waterfall, Rangamati |
Notable landmarks-
Hanging Bridge:
Hanging Bridge(Jhulonto Bridge in Bengali)is the landmark icon of
Rangamati. It's a popular tourist spot and a must go destination. Gagra
waterfall is one of the greates combination of nature . Kaptai Lake :
Kaptai lake is a wonderful spot for boating and cruising. Parjatan and private
tour operators offer a number of cruises by mechanical boats. One can go to
various scenic spots in Shuvalong, Barkal, Longadu, Mainimukh and other areas
by boat from Rangamati.
Indigenous Museum :
The only Indigenous Cultural Museum in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region was
established at Rangamati town in 1978 and run by the Tribal Cultural Institute.
It preserves valuable objects and articles of different tribes depicting their
socio-economic, cultural and historical tradition. These include typical
indigenous dresses, ornaments, arms and ammunitions, coins, statues made of
wood, bronze and other metals, musical instruments, ivory products,
handicrafts, paintings on tribal life etc.
Open: Saturday-
Thursday, 10.00 a.m.- 4.00 p.m.
Closed: Friday &
Public Holidays. Admission is free.
Important links:
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